Tour of the Sunshine State – 14th to 17th August, 2024

This tour was organised by the Historic Rally Club NSW/ACT. It was generally run on many roads from the 1969 Southern Cross Rally. We were offered Tarmac and optional Dirt sections which most crews took advantage of. The instructions were first class, to the extent on the first day there were roads underwater near Pottsville. There was an alternative route already printed to bypass this section. Most crews converged on Murwillumbah on the evening before the event to book in and receive the instructions for the next morning start at the Showground. Most crews stayed for a pub dinner talking of past adventures and the upcoming 4 days.

Car 10 Payne and Rankine left home on Thursday 8th August and spent a few days at Port Macquarie with Dianne’s daughter. Monday we moved to Pottsville and spent 2 nights with our friends David and Christine. I had replaced the rear brake linings on the 2002, 5 weeks before the event then ran into trouble getting some parts so ran out of time. Fortunately John and Annie decided to take their Lexus SUV so the 7 series BMW 730 was available for us. Home to Murwillumbah the V8 3litre BMW returned 10L/100klms. Such a great car to drive. Prior to the event we purchased a Monet timing device, following the one John and I used Perth to Sydney in 2022. Dianne came to grips with its operation quickly and we found the trip much easier with the Monet.
Travelling to the start we had several days of blinding rain, the first day of the tour was very wet, second day just wet and the next 2 days the weather was great.

Morning of the start the rain was light and came on heavier as the morning progressed but clearing later in the day.

Day 1 Murwillumbah to Nimbin, 171KLMs. Via Mooball, Murwillumbah, Chillingham, Tyalgum, Uki. Arriving in Nimbin, you could go back in time, I’m sure 40 years ago Nimbin was the same, absolutely gorgeous. Dianne was offered Hashish from a stall on the footpath, with scales, calculator but only cash. Dianne did not take up the generous offer. Lunch at the bakery and then time to head for Lismore. Nimbin to Lismore 138 KLMs. We used what’s app for communications and for booking in and out of control points at various times, seemed to work really well, people in trouble could call for help in a timely fashion. From Nimbin we travelled through The Channon to Lismore. Those on the dirt travelled to Kyogle Wiangaree to Lismore.

We all met at the Sherwood Hotel for dinner and a catch up. Dianne and I walked around Lismore and tried to imagine how much water was in the town during the floods, our motel had all metal furniture and bed so it could be totally emptied quickly, the bed was not so comfy though.

Day2 Lismore to Woodenbong 220KLMs, Via Casino, Kyogle, Woodenbong, Urbenville, Woodenbong, Lunch in Woodenbong at 1 of the 2 little eateries. Woodenbong Aratula 98KLMs, for afternoon tea, Aratula to Withott 127KLMs Via Grandchester. On each of these sections you could take a dirt road. End of day, we met at the Toowoomba Sports Club for dinner and a number of speakers from the 1969 Southern Cross rally, gave us some idea of the rally at the time and their experiences. This was much appreciated by all and sundry.

Day 3 Toowoomba to Leyburn 74KLMs, the start was 20klms out of Toowoomba at a BP truck stop in Charlton. Nice easy fast drive this morning. Leyburn to Texas 136KLMs Via Gore. In Leyburn they were having their annual sprint, made special this year, 75 years since the 14th Australian GP held here in1949, on an old WWII airfield. The 150mile race was won by John Crouch in a Delahaye. The Sprint is run on the narrow roads of Leyburn with tyres, bales of hay and concrete to protect the houses. The cars that turned up for a run were anything you could imagine, they were home built, vintage to modern supercars. Some of our cars remained here for the day. On the way to Texas we passed 180 wind turbines under construction, there was no wind so no turbines turning. Lunch Break was at Texas. Texas to Warwick 204KLMs Via Stanthorpe, Killarney. I really enjoyed this run nice pace but great country side following the QLD NSW border. Coffee break in Warwick, Warwick to Withcott 120KLMs Via Allora, Tonight Alan Heritage organised a get together at a Thai restaurant, the poor owner was trying to get everyone to take a banquet, but with little success. Tomorrow is our last day.

Day 4 Toowoomba to Nanango 220KLMs,via Charlton (start), Haden, Maclagan, Kumbia, for our lunch stop at Nanango. Nanango to Kilcoy 140KLMs, via Yarraman on the D’Agullar Hwy. Not far before Kilcoy we passed through Somerset dam, it was huge and very picturesque. Kilcoy to Kallangur 85KLMs. This last stage was particularly interesting steep inclines and declines with sharp turns thrown in, great drive. Arriving at the Kallangur Tavern we checked in for the last time, and spent several hours connecting with the people we had spent the last 4 days and about 1800 KLMs with. Following a meal we retired to the Best Western only a few KLMs away where we spent 3 nights and looked around Caloundra and Mooloolaba.
On our way home we called in on Dianne’s brother in Brisbane, before heading to Coffs Harbor for the night then home. Great trip and great company.

Thoroughbred Sports Car Club entrants.

  • Sergio Cariolato (driver) and Irene Cariolato (navigator) in a Black 2019 C63S Mercedes
  • John Croft (driver) and Annette Croft (navigator) in a Charcoal 2010 Lexus RX350
  • Alan Heritage (driver) and Shirley Heritage (navigator) in a White 1989 Volvo 240
  • Les Payne (driver) and Dianne Rankine (navigator) in a Gold 1993 BMW 730I

We had 33 Cars start, 1 car had a few head issues but pushed on, 1 car cracked some suspension and had to go to the finish a little early and slower as did another with a broken exhaust.
Tour Officials did a superb job and we can’t thank them enough.

The 1969 Southern Cross Rally

In 1969 there were 73 entries coming from all states of Australia, Scotland, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Argentina. There were 68 starters comprising of Austin 1800, Ford Cortina, Mitsubishi Colt, Holden Dealers Team, Renault 16TS, Volvo 144S and Nissan 1000 were the well backed cars. Sponsors included Ocean Shores Estate Developers, Amoco, Andronicus Coffee and Travelodge Hotels. The entry fee was $30 and the total prize pool was $2,780. The rally was 3508 KLMs in 4 days with 50 competitive sections.

Rallying was banned in NSW in 1969 and so the Sothern cross rally was in jeopardy, fortunately The Northern Rivers were not included in the ban and a late decision had it back on the table.

The next rally is in March 2025, can’t wait.

Les and Dianne.